Jerry Lee Bohn, 85, of Chattanooga, passed away on August 2, 2019, while surrounded by loving family.
He was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky in 1934 and passed away Friday after battling kidney disease for many years. Jerry was a long-time member of the Jewish Federation of Chattanooga, B’nai Zion Synagogue and Kiwanis.
Jerry graduated from Hopkinsville High School where he played basketball and that is where his life-long love of the game began. He then went to the University of Kentucky and became a huge Wildcats fan through all the ups and downs.
He would help his father, Sam, run his dry goods store, something generations of Bohns did. He was the youngest of four children including Mose, HD and Esther. Growing up, his sister taught him to dance — a skill he used throughout his life with his wife and daughter.
After a stint in the Army, in which he took advantage of Jewish cultural side trips to see parts of Europe, Jerry settled back in Hopkinsville. He started a company to help people who needed a financial boost in nearby Fort Campbell — Custom Finance.
He would be set up on a date with Barbara Sacks, a social worker at Ft. Campbell. They would marry in 1963 and have two children, Kevin and Lisa.
The family settled in Chattanooga in 1969 as he took over his father-in-law’s financial planning practice at Investors Diversified Services. He excelled in the business that combined his love of helping people, his outgoing personality and his business acumen. Consistently, he was one of the company’s top sellers.
He loved selling so much that when he retired the lure pulled him back and he started his own small business selling Medicare supplemental insurance.
Jerry was very involved in his community, participating in activities at B’Nai Zion Synagogue, The Jewish Federation, as well as Kiwanis, participating in its annual barbecue, reading sessions at local schools and attending weekly meetings.
It was all part of his love and dedication to helping people.
Jerry was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Barbara, and brothers, Mose and HD.
He is survived by his son, Kevin Bohn; daughter, Lisa Bohn Robitshek; granddaughter, Eve Robitshek; grandson, Noah Robitshek; son-in-law, Andy Robitshek; sister, Esther Sklarewitz, and brother-in-law, Norm Sklarewitz.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to: B’Nai Zion Congregation, 114 McBrien Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411; Kiwanis: PO Box 25134, Chattanooga TN 37422 and Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga TN 37421.
A service will be held at 10:00 am on Sunday, August 4, 2019 at B’Nai Zion Congregation and will be followed by a graveside service at B’Nai Zion Cemetery. A meal of condolence will be held at the Bohn home following services.
Arrangements entrusted to Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel.
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